AIDS scare shuts down the porn industry…again

Yet another AIDS scare has brought the pornographic film industry to a screeching halt.

The pornography industry stopped production of all porn films for three days, beginning on Wednesday, due to concerns that a porn performer had contacted HIV.

The Free Speech Coalition, the porn industry's trade association, told XBIZ.com that "in an abundance of caution, we are calling for a three-day hold on production while we evaluate any risk to the performer pool, and determine if a full moratorium is warranted."

According to a statement from Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Diane Duke, people should "refrain from speculation until more news is forthcoming, and respect performer privacy." She said that the industry is "currently working with the public health department, the production company, and the performer, and will alert as more information is available.”

While HIV/AIDS concerns have long plagued the pornography industry, such concerns have become even more widespread as the industry's profit margin has shrunk, and performers engage in escort and prostitution services to make extra money. Additionally, a health ordinance mandating condom use has many producers going underground to make their films.